Rudd denies Russia visit linked to Ukraine

Kevin Rudd is suspected of trying to "deal himself" into the Ukraine crisis.

Former prime minister Kevin Rudd's visit to Russia has no connection with events in Ukraine, his office says.

The West Australian newspaper reports Mr Rudd arrived in Moscow on Monday to meet President Vladimir Putin's top foreign affairs officials.

It cited unnamed Australian diplomats of suspecting Mr Rudd was attempting to "deal himself" into the crisis, which threatens a Cold War-style stand-off over the ex-Soviet state between Russia and G7 powers.

But a spokeswoman said the visit was linked to Mr Rudd's new role as a senior fellow at Harvard University's Kennedy school and a related research project on China.

"Mr Rudd is meeting with think tanks and other officials in Europe including the UK and Russia on this and broader foreign policy interests," she said.

"This travel was planned more than a month ago and is not connected with recent developments in the Ukraine."